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Cited by 79Reproductive Health and TechnologiesHealth Literacy and Information AccessibilityReproductive Health and Contraception

Helping themselves to get pregnant: a qualitative longitudinal study on the information-seeking behaviour of infertile couples

Porter, M., Bhattacharya, S.·2008·Human Reproduction
DOI 10.1093/humrep/dem398
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Couples seeking infertility treatment are generally hungry for information about available therapeutic options and how to help themselves achieve pregnancy. This study examined couples' perceptions of the information available from various sources in the context of achieved pregnancy or continuing treatment. METHODS: A 3 year prospective interview study started in April 2004, following couples undergoing infertility treatment at a tertiary fertility clinic at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. Fifty-four couples were invited to participate. Up to three semi-structured interviews took place, and were analysed thematically using a variation of grounded theory. RESULTS: Twenty-seven couples agreed to participate and of the 25 couples followed up, 11 were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. The age range of the women was 22-41 years. All hoped to be given information on helping themselves to achieve pregnancy, spontaneous or assisted, and 19 of the 25 couples became pregnant. Most couples were dissatisfied with the written and verbal information routinely provided by the fertility clinic because it suggested lifestyle changes they had already attempted to adopt. They sought additional information from the internet, books and magazines. Those who became pregnant were generally empowered by the experience and thought that it had helped them to conceive. Women who were still undergoing treatment however, sometimes became distressed, blaming themselves for failing to follow the lifestyle advice provided. CONCLUSIONS: Couples, especially those diagnosed with unexplained infertility, seek information to help themselves conceive, but only those who succeed find it an empowering experience.

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Crossref · 10.1093/humrep/dem398

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  • Previous studies have reported narrowed focus on infertility and excessive information seeking as behavioural features of anxiety.

    “A few studies have also reported on women’s narrowed focus on infertility to the exclusion of other activities, as well as excessive information seeking as behavioural features of anxiety.24–26”

    From Infertility-related distress and clinical targets for psychotherapy: A qualitative study (2021) · cites this paper as [24]

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Authors
Porter, M., & Bhattacharya, S.
Affiliations
University of Aberdeen (GB)
ORCID
Bhattacharya, S.
Venue
Human Reproduction
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2008-03-01
Volume
23
Issue
3
Pages
567-572
ISSN
  • 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2350
DOI
10.1093/humrep/dem398
OpenAlex
W2131045089
Cited by
79
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
Keywords
infertility, information seeking, couples, unexplained infertility, infertility treatment, self-help, lifestyle advice, patient information, patient empowerment, patient distress, self-blame, online information sources, assisted reproduction
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Female, Humans, Infertility, Interviews as Topic, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Life Style, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Patient Education as Topic, Pregnancy, Prospective Studies, Patient Satisfaction, Internet

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